Cover of the Week - September 12

Each Monday staff writers Kevin Melrose and Steve Sunu discuss their five favorite covers from the previous Wednesday's new comic releases, selecting from among them CBR's Cover of the Week.

This week, the Rocketeer gets the spotlight, flying saucers battle jet fighters, X-Force takes a stroll, a private eye gives the stink eye and Jonathan Hickman picks up the hammer and sickle.

Keep reading for Kevin and Steve's favorites from the week Sept. 12, and then discuss your choices in the CBR forums.

"The Manhattan Projects" #6, by Jonathan Hickman (Image Comics)

From "The Nightly News" to "Pax Romana" to "Secret," Jonathan Hickman's covers always display his keen sense of design. However, I think his work on "The Manhattan Projects" may be my favorite yet, as the covers are bold, simple and unlike anything else on the stands. For this issue, which centers on "the secret history of the Russian science machine," Hickman embraces the instantly recognizable symbols of the Soviet Union, clueing in the readers as to what they'll find inside. -- Kevin Melrose

"The Rocketeer: Cargo of Doom" #2, by Chris Samnee (IDW Publishing)

Chris Samnee's cover brings a modern sensibility to a classic hero. While the design and time period are quintessential Rocketeer, Samnee's depiction of the character is reminiscent of "Batman: The Animated Series," with the character striking a classic pose as he watches over the city on a gargoyle, flanked by two spotlights. While Samnee's pencils are solid, the coloring and inking combine with his composition for a striking finished piece filled with with heavy shadows and vibrant reds, purples and yellows. -- Steve Sunu

"Saucer Country" #7, by Ryan Kelly (Vertigo)

While most of Ryan Kelly's "Saucer Country" covers have been heavy on creepiness and conspiracy, for this issue he goes all-out sci-fi adventure. I love the dogfight between the 1950s-era jet fighters and the appropriately retro saucers -- it's all very old-school "Airboy," which is a good thing. -- Kevin Melrose

"Uncanny X-Force" #31, by Jerome Opeña (Marvel)

Although Jerome Opeña no longer provides interior art for "Uncanny X-Force," his covers for the series continue to impress. "Uncanny X-Force" #31 features the current team striding forward against a simple background, but the way Opeña depicts these characters makes what could have been a standard cover shine. Wolverine is determined, but with a slight splash of guilt, while Psylocke walks without emotion; Nightcrawler and EVA are stoic killers and Deadpool strolls towards the reader with a jovial tilt of the head. Maybe even more interesting is how Opeña sets Psylocke apart from the rest -- she's the only one leading with her left foot. -- Steve Sunu

COVER OF THE WEEK: "The Creep" #1, by Mike Mignola (Dark Horse)

It's not often that we see Mike Mignola draw other people's creations, but when he does, it's typically a treat. That's the case with this cover for the first issue of "The Creep," a mystery by John Arcudi and Jonathan Case. Mignola, who so frequently and fabulously depicts the supernatural, here draws the mundane -- a world-weary private eye -- to no less of an effect. There's a terrible sadness in the character's eyes, and a grim story in the scars that crisscross his face. -- Kevin Melrose